October 18, 2025 – Taipei, Taiwan
As Taiwan wraps up the Double Tenth National Day celebrations and prepares for the upcoming Retrocession Day holiday, authorities are reminding travelers returning from abroad to be mindful of the country’s strict quarantine regulations—particularly regarding airplane and cruise ship meals.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine Agency (APHIA) issued an official reminder that meals served on aircraft and cruise liners are considered foreign products under Taiwan’s quarantine laws. Therefore, such food items cannot be brought into Taiwan. Passengers are advised to consume or discard their meals before arriving in the country to avoid hefty penalties.
Prohibited Items Include:
-
Meals containing pork, chicken, beef, or other livestock meat
-
Sandwiches or bread with meat, ham, or lettuce
-
Lettuce salads
-
Fruits such as bananas, apples, or other fresh produce
APHIA emphasized that these items must be disposed of in agricultural product waste bins before passing through customs. Travelers who are unsure about disposal procedures can seek assistance from quarantine officers stationed at airport inspection counters.
Authorities warned that anyone caught bringing in foreign animal or plant products could face fines of up to NT$1 million. Under Article 43, Paragraph 8 of the Regulations on the Prevention and Control of Animal Infectious Diseases, individuals who illegally import pork products from regions affected by African swine fever may be fined NT$200,000 for the first offense and NT$1 million for subsequent violations.
The government reiterated that these regulations are in place to protect Taiwan’s agriculture and livestock industries from potential outbreaks of animal and plant diseases. Travelers are urged to follow all quarantine procedures and avoid carrying restricted food items when entering the country.